Nikon D3000 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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Nikon D3000 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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APS-C 372.9mm²
10.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3000.

4/3 226.2mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 III Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 III.
Compare Olympus E-M10 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 III conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D3000 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.10 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

550 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Nikon D3000

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Newer
7 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.62x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
16.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.6 fps vs 3.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3000 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 III

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)

All E-M10 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3000 Full Review

Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.
Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.
Read our Olympus E-M10 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Faster JPEG shooting

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
HDMI out

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Olympus E-M10 III

Sony DSLR-A230

$549
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A330

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

$530
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Olympus E-M10 III

Sony DSLR-A330

$549
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$530
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D3000

Pentax K-r

$450
APS-C

Less expensive

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-r

Olympus E-M10 III

Pentax K-r

$549
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Nikon D3000

Olympus E-M10 II

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M10 II

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$349
4/3

Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D3000

Panasonic GX85

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3000 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX85

$549
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Higher max flash sync

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic GX85

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